Background: Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a severe genetic disorder caused by mutations in the DMD gene. These mutations disrupt the dystrophin protein, essential for muscle function. Current treatments, like exon-skipping oligonucleotides, have limitations due to their short lifespan and need for frequent administration.   Objective: This study explored the use of a self-complementary adeno-associated virus (scAAV9) vector expressing U7 small nuclear RNA (snRNA) to target exon 2 of …

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  Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a severe genetic disorder caused by mutations in the dystrophin gene, leading to muscle degeneration and early death. Antisense oligonucleotides (AONs) are promising therapeutic agents designed to skip faulty exons in the dystrophin gene and restore functional protein.   This study evaluated the efficiency of AONs targeting exon 53 of the dystrophin gene in a mouse model, using chemically modified AONs to enhance skipping …

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Wnt proteins are essential for tissue regeneration and intercellular signaling. This study focuses on Wnt7a, a protein secreted via extracellular vesicles (EVs) during muscle repair. Unlike traditional pathways, Wnt7a utilizes a unique mechanism involving a specific 18-amino acid sequence called the Exosome-Binding Peptide (EBP). EBP directs Wnt7a to EVs by binding to coatomer proteins (COPA and COPB2), which anchor the protein to the EV surface, enabling its bioactivity in long-range …

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Exon skipping is a promising therapeutic strategy for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), a severe genetic disorder. By using antisense oligonucleotides (AOs), this method aims to restore a partially functional dystrophin protein. The study conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of five randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving 322 participants, focusing on two drugs: eteplirsen and drisapersen. The analysis evaluated outcomes such as the 6-minute walk test (6MWT), North Star Ambulatory Assessment …

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  This study explores the impact of voluntary exercise on the effectiveness of a gene therapy approach for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) using the D2-mdx murine model. DMD is caused by mutations in the dystrophin gene, leading to muscle damage and impaired regeneration. The research uses adeno-associated virus (AAV)-mediated U7 snRNA to skip a mutation-containing exon and restore dystrophin production. D2-mdx mice were treated with AAV-U7 and allowed to run …

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Casimersen (AMONDYS 45™) is a therapeutic antisense oligonucleotide designed for patients with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) whose gene mutation is amenable to exon 45 skipping. DMD is a genetic disorder characterized by the absence of dystrophin, a crucial protein for muscle function. This results in progressive muscle degeneration and loss of mobility, eventually affecting the heart and lungs. Casimersen works by binding to the mutated pre-mRNA, skipping exon 45 to …

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The paper titled "Multiple Exon Skipping in the Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Hot Spots: Prospects and Challenges" explores an advanced therapeutic strategy for treating Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD), a severe genetic disorder caused by mutations in the dystrophin gene. This mutation leads to the absence of functional dystrophin protein, which is essential for maintaining muscle integrity. One emerging treatment method involves antisense oligonucleotide (AO)-mediated exon skipping, where specific exons are skipped …

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Personal take on this article: Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) is a severe genetic disorder caused by mutations in the dystrophin gene, leading to muscle degeneration and weakness. In recent years, exon skipping therapy has emerged as a promising molecular treatment. This approach uses antisense oligonucleotides (AONs) to skip specific exons during the mRNA splicing process, helping to restore the reading frame and produce a functional, albeit truncated, dystrophin protein. This …

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Personal take on this article: Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) is a severe genetic disorder caused by mutations in the dystrophin gene, leading to progressive muscle deterioration. The lack of functional dystrophin causes muscle weakness, cardiac and respiratory issues, and ultimately leads to early death. Traditional treatments like corticosteroids only delay the disease progression and are associated with serious side effects. In recent years, gene and antisense therapies have emerged as …

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    Personal take on this article: Recent developments in Becker muscular dystrophy (BMD) research have focused on improving trial readiness and exploring new treatment strategies. Although BMD has historically been overshadowed by Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), recent advances in diagnostics and natural history studies have highlighted the need for more targeted clinical trials. Improved genetic sequencing has led to more frequent diagnoses of BMD, even in diverse populations, and …

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